THIS is a shocking news. Who would have thought that the area we live in produces more carbon dioxide (CO2) than several medium-size European countries combined?
"The estimate, by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, seems to be the first official attempt to put a number on the region's contributions to climate change. And the number is big: 65.6 million metric tons of carbon dioxide were emitted here in 2005. That was more than in all of Hungary, Finland, Sweden, Denmark or Switzerland, each of which has more people."
via Washington Post
How about this? Emissions from coal-burning power plants and from cars, trucks sitting in traffic - are the two reasons 'why' this area has such a high level of CO2!
But the region still has many of the country's bad carbon habits. Washington's cars and trucks, which sit in traffic recently judged to be tied for second-worst in the country, account for 34 percent of area emissions. In total, transportation in the region accounts for 22.6 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, the equivalent of all of Lithuania's emissions and roughly five times what Nicaragua emits.
via Washington Post
Haven't seen the coal plants in MD, but close-by in the City of Alexandria..yes we do have one: Mirant power plant. This Alexandria's smoke stacks is located across the street from condos at Marina Tower and surrounded by residential housing. There shouldn't be any questions why resale of condos at Marina Tower really slow despite the fact that its on the Potomac River waterfront (..oh, and also 'high' condo fee). Got triple-whammy there.
It has been for sometime, that the City of Alexandria along with elected officials and community activists -- have been trying really, really hard to close Mirant plant for 'good.' At one time the plant was closed, then reopened temporarily and still on its active production status because the D.C. area needed back up power supply.
Image: Mirant Power Plant, Alexandria, VA






